Iraqi women join top cops

Graduation into elite corps seen as major advance

November 13, 2009|By John Leland, New York Times News Service; Agence France-Presse

BAGHDAD — As one, the stony faces broke into a free-for-all of kisses, hugs and tears as the 50 women who called themselves the Lioness group became the first female graduates of Iraq's police officer training academy.

On a vast parade ground, the women joined 1,050 male classmates this week in what American military officers, who advised on the training, called a step forward for the country and its women.

"Some people have a view of Iraqi females that for them to join the police academy is a shame," said Alla Nozad Falih, 22, wearing a star on her epaulet that marked her as a first lieutenant.

Like about half of the group, Falih wore her hair uncovered except by a uniform blue beret, and like 26 of her female classmates, she had joined the academy after finishing law school.

Officers in the national police force hold one of the highest-paying jobs available in Iraq, but also one of the most dangerous, with officers and trainees being a favorite target of insurgents.

Women have long worked in the lower police ranks here, directing traffic or searching other women at checkpoints, but until now they were ineligible for the elite officers' corps. The government changed the rules this year, although several police officials questioned did not have an explanation for either the change or the previous prohibition.

The women studied and trained separately from the men but according to the same standards, said Col. Randy Twitchell, a U.S. Army consultant on the nine-month course.

All the women said their families had encouraged them to join the academy. But during training, some mentioned receiving threats from men in their communities, said Nana Shriver, a Danish police major who was also an adviser.

However, Farah Hameed, 24, like others, said their sex conferred advantages. They could interview women and children about crimes such as rape or sexual abuse in a way that would be difficult for men, she said.

"When we first joined, we were shy about wearing the uniforms, carrying guns and everything," Hameed said. "But right now we are ready to do anything. Even the trainer said, 'Now I can tell you are real officers by the way you walk.'"

Vote on Jan. 18

BAGHDAD -- Iraq's general election, now expected to take place Jan. 18, will be vital for national reconciliation, but ensuring it goes ahead on time will be a Herculean task, the U.N. said.

The election is seen as crucial to consolidating Iraq's fledgling democracy and ensuring a smooth U.S. military exit.

The head of Iraq's election authority said the date had been changed from Jan. 21 because of a religious ceremony.